NYC mayor sounds alarm over potentially COVID-linked rare syndrome in kids

New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio voices “tremendous concern” over an uptick in cases of a pediatric syndrome that scientists suspect could be linked to COVID-19.

The mayor says there have been 38 cases of pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome detected in New York City, with an additional nine suspected cases awaiting confirmation.

There have been three deaths linked to the syndrome statewide, Governor Andrew Cuomo had said over the weekend, with one in the city.

Symptoms of the syndrome include persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

“What it does is, basically, in a child’s body triggers an intensive, almost overwhelming immune system response. And that actually causes harm to the body,” de Blasio says.

The mayor says all children with associated symptoms would now be tested for COVID-19 as well as antibodies.

So far, of the confirmed cases, 47 percent tested positive for the coronavirus and 81% had antibodies, indicating exposure to the fast-spreading virus at some point.

De Blasio urged all parents whose children exhibited the symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

Britain’s National Health Service first sounded the alarm last month, warning about a small rise in children infected with the coronavirus that have “overlapping features of toxic shock syndrome and atypical Kawasaki disease.”

France has also reported several cases.

Though frightening, most recover without serious issues.

— AFP